Best Prime Lenses

Peter | 01-01-2026

With so many Best Prime Lenses brands on the market – from prominent names like Canon,Sony,Nikon,VILTROX to smaller manufacturers – making the right choice can feel overwhelming. But we’re here to help simplify your search for the best product.

We extensively tested and evaluated dozens of top-rated Best Prime Lenses across various price points, spending over 100 hours comparing the contenders side-by-side. Based on our in-depth first-hand research, we compiled this list of stand-out Best Prime Lenses to consider. Our top recommendation is Canon Best Prime Lenses for its uncompromising quality and performance.

Below you’ll discover more of our favorite Best Prime Lenses picks. And be sure to consult our buying guide for expert insights on selecting the ideal product for your individual needs and budget. With us guiding your decision, you can shop confidently knowing you’ve chosen an exceptional Best Prime Lenses you’ll truly love.

Editor's Choice
Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM Lens, Fixed Focal Length Prime Lens, Compatible with EOS R Series Mirrorless
Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM Lens, Fixed Focal Length Prime Lens, Compatible with EOS R Series Mirrorless
Premium Pick
Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2)
Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2)
Budget Pick
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S | Premium large aperture 50mm prime lens (nifty fifty) for Z series
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S | Premium large aperture 50mm prime lens (nifty fifty) for Z series

Top 10 Best Prime Lenses

We researched and compared the top products in the Best Prime Lenses category to provide you with these recommendations.

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

  • 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
  • Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 40, 27,46
  • Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x
  • Stepping motor (STM) delivers near silent, continuous move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills
  • 80 millimetre effective focal length on APS C cameras, 50 millimetre on full frame cameras. Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups

2. Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM Lens, Fixed Focal Length Prime Lens, Compatible with EOS R Series Mirrorless

  • Compact, Lightweight Fixed 50 millimeter Focal Length Lens.
  • Large F, 1.8 Aperture for Low-Light Photography and Creative Background Blur
  • A Stepping Motor (Gear-Type STM) Provides Smooth and Quiet Continuous AF During Video Recording, As Well As When Shooting Photos
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes
  • Optimized Lens Placement and Coatings Help Deliver Outstanding Color Balance, While Minimizing Ghosting and Flare
  • Lens Compatible with the Mirrorless EOS R System (EOS R100, EOS R50, EOS R10, EOS R7, EOS RP, EOS R8, EOS R, EOS R6, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R5, EOS R3, EOS R5 C)

3. Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2)

  • Large F1. 8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects
  • 7-blade circular aperture creates beautiful defocused bokeh
  • Compact, lightweight design Ideal for full-frame e-mount cameras
  • Aspherical element controls spherical aberration and coma
  • Double-gauss configuration suppresses field curvature & distortion

4. Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S | Premium large aperture 50mm prime lens (nifty fifty) for Z series

  • Fast 50mm prime for Z Mirrorless cameras
  • Uncanny f/1.8 performance, extreme sharpness and virtually zero distortion
  • New ultra-quiet stepping motor for silent focusing
  • Beautiful bokeh and superior Low-light performance
  • 5-Axis Dual detect optical VR powered by Z cameras
  • Compact, lightweight and slim unibody (monocoque) body design with tilting Vari angle LCD display
  • Also compatible with F Mount NIKKOR Lenses using the FTZ Mount Adapter (sold separately)

5. Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens, Black

  • Compact macro Lens with 0.5x Magnification Ratio
  • Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.56 ft. ; 0.17M
  • Control Ring for direct setting changes
  • Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops of shake Correction
  • 12 pin Communication System
  • Compatible with EOS R series cameras
  • Mounting type: Canon RF

6. VILTROX 35mm F1.7 E-Mount Large Aperture APS-C STM Auto Focus Prime Lens for Sony E-Mount Camera FX3

VILTROX 35mm F1.7 E-Mount Large Aperture APS-C STM Auto Focus Prime Lens for Sony E-Mount Camera FX3
8.5

Viltrox

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  • F1.7 Large Aperture: Beautiful natural bokeh, 9 aperture blades, creating a dreamy and artistic blur effect, effectively highlighting the subject.
  • Efficient & Reliable Autofocus: The built-in STM stepping motor provides the high driving force for precise autofocus and tracking focus, while supporting eye/face AF for better response, lower latency, and reduced vibration
  • 11 Elements ln 9 Groups: Optical structure of 11 elements in 9 groups, including 1 ED lens, 2 high refractive index lens, 1 aspherical lens, and high-definition multi-layer coating
  • Lightweight Design: Weight 170 g, the compact and lightweight body allows you to capture inspiration at your fingertips. This portability positions it as a favorite for those impromptu shoots, be it on bustling city streets or serene landscapes
  • The bottom of the lens is equipped with a micro USB interface, which is convenient for future firmware upgrades and makes its performance stronger

7. Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame Auto Focus Fixed Prime Portrait Lenses for Sony E

  • Compatible with Sony E mount APS-C frame auto focu mirrorless cameras, such as Sony FX30 ZV-E10 ZVE10 II A6600 A6400 A5000 A5100 A6000 A6100 A6300 A6500 A6700
  • The classic 55mm portrait lens with a wide aperture of f/1.4, the lens can capture beautiful photos with smooth background blur effect, even in dark environment
  • 55mm lens is a AF STM(A stepping motor) auto focus lens, helps to reduce camera shake and helps capture images with less noise
  • Uncompromising Optical Design: The use of 8 elements in 11 groups, 1 extra-low dispersion elements,2 high refractive index element, and multi coating suppress chromatic aberration,flaring and ghosting effectively.
  • If you experience autofocus failure, you can upgrade the firmware online. Meike lenses use a Type-C interface, and the latest firmware is available for download from the Meike official websiteReal-time updates), only supported on Android devices, not Apple (Mac).

8. Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 | Large aperture 40mm prime lens for Z series mirrorless cameras | Nikon USA

  • Camera compatibility: Compatible with FX and DX format Nikon Z series mirrorless (on DX-format cameras, the lens has a field of view of 60mm)
  • Fast & quiet Autofocus: AF System greatly suppresses focus breathing to prevent angle-of-view shifts during recording: also allows for smooth iris adjustments with the click-less control ring to create a natural shift in brightness.
  • Custom control ring: Customize the way you shoot. Use it for precise manual focusing or to adjust aperature, ISO, or exposure compensation.
  • Beautiful background blur: The shallow depth of field of f/2 is enhandced by the lens' 9 rounded blade diaphragm, creating a natural bokeh effect.

9. YONGNUO YN35mm F2 Lens 1:2 AF/MF Wide-Angle Fixed/Prime Auto Focus Lens for Canon EF Mount EOS

YONGNUO YN35mm F2 Lens 1:2 AF/MF Wide-Angle Fixed/Prime Auto Focus Lens for Canon EF Mount EOS
7.9

Yongnuo

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  • View-angle CoverateDiagonal 63 Degree/Vertical 38 Degree/Horizontal 54 Degree.
  • Lens Structure:5 sets, 7 pieces
  • Minimum Aperture:F/22,Minimum Focusing Distance:0.25m / 0.8ft,Maximum Magnification:0.23X.
  • Filter Diameter / Auantity Available:52mm / 1,Maximum Diameter and Length:73*59mm.
  • Support auto focus (AF) and manual focus (MF) mode.

10. Meike 33mm F1.4 Wide Angle APS-C AF STM Lens Auto Focus Fixed Prime Lenses for Sony E Mount

  • Compatible with Sony E mount APS-C frame auto focu mirrorless cameras, such as sony FX30 ZV-E10 ZVE10 II A6600 A6400 A5000 A5100 A6000 A6100 A6300 A6500 A6700
  • The classic 33mm portrait lens with a wide aperture of f/1.4, the lens can capture beautiful photos with smooth background blur effect, even in dark environment
  • 33mm lens is a AF STM(stepping motor) auto focus lens, helps to reduce camera shake and helps capture images with less noise
  • Uncompromising Optical Design: The use of 9 groups 12 elements, 1 extra-low dispersion elements,1 high refractive index element, 1 ultra high refractive index element and multi coating suppress chromatic aberration,flaring and ghosting effectively.
  • If you experience autofocus failure, you can upgrade the firmware online. Meike lenses use a Type-C interface, and the latest firmware is available for download from the Meike official websiteReal-time updates), only supported on Android devices, not Apple (Mac).

Peter

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